Intraoperative margin re-resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases.

One of the basic tenets of surgical oncology is the achievement of margin-negative resection. The importance of surgical margins in hepatic resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) is reflected in the abundance of literature written about this topic. However, the definition of the ideal surgical margin has evolved in parallel with advances in systemic chemotherapy, biologic therapy and surgical technology. A better understanding of the biology of liver metastasis is of critical importance in the context of surgical strategy for CRCLM. The value of intraoperative margin re-resection to achieve R0 status for CRCLM is addressed, taking into consideration current understandings of cancer biology.